►►► ETHIOPIA: See Pics of Ethiopian's 787 ready for delivery; axes 787 on Harare and Lusaka route.

- Updated 6 August 2012. On-line aviation resource Airline Route is reporting (though these reports are uncorroborated) that Ethiopian Airlines (ET), set to receive its and Africa's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in the next few weeks, has axed its planned Boeing 787 flights to Harare, Zimbabwe and Lusaka, Zambia originally slated to start on 28 October 2012.

Ethiopian's 787 ET-AOQ exits the paintshop (Josh Rawlin)

Ethiopian's 787 ET-AOQ in Seattle (Bernie Leighton)

UPDATE [AUGUST 8]: FOR RE-REVISED SCHEDULE PLEASE SEE THIS THREAD.

► UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Emirates announces various changes to its Africa network for Winter 2012.

Dubai-based carrier, Emirates (EK) has announced various changes to its African network as it gears up for the Northern Hemisphere Winter.

Emirates Africa Route Network

  Emirates NH Winter 2012 Africa Changes

Dubai – Cape Town, South Africa

- Aircraft used gradually switches to an Airbus A340-300.

• EK772 DXB0350 – 1140CPT 343 1234567
• EK770 DXB0850 – 1625CPT 343 1234567
• EK773 CPT1330 – 0120+1DXB 343 1234567
• EK771 CPT1810 – 0535+1DXB 343 1234567
• EK770/771 operates with Airbus A340-300 instead of Boeing 777-300ER from 1 February 2013
• EK772/773 operates with Airbus A340-300 instead of -500 from 1 March 2013 (Service is suspended from 1 September 2012 until 30 November 2012).

Dubai – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

- Effective 1 February 2013 (Previously stated as starting from 1 March 2013) 2-class 777-300ER replaces A340-500 hence no First Class service.

Previously announced:

Dubai – Johannesburg, South Africa 

- Effective 1 December 2012 Airbus A380 service resumes on EK761/762.

Dubai – Lusaka, Zambia – Harare, Zimbabwe

- Effective 1 October 2012 Service increases daily from 5 weekly; A330-200 operating.

 

Dubai – Tunis, Tunisia 

- Effective 1 December 2012, 3-class Boeing 777-300ER replaces Airbus A340-500; loss of First Class Suite service.

Source [Airline Route]

► RWANDA: RwandAir rumoured to start Lusaka and Cape Town "in November".

According to fellow blogger RwandanFlyer, Rwandan national airline Rwandair (WB) is set to launch flights from its hub in Kigali, Rwanda to Lusaka, Zambia and Cape Town, South Africa "sometime in November of this year", though no official confirmation has been made available as yet.

A RwandAir Ad on Facebook.

It is said that the launch of the flights will coincide with "the arrival of RwandAir's two new Bombardier CRJ-900NGs in October, that will be used on other regional routes, thereby freeing up RwandAir's Boeing 737-800s for use to Lusaka and Cape Town."

RwandAir's Network

It is uncertain whether or not the carrier will be granted 5th Freedom rights to service the Lusaka - Cape Town sectors and vice-versa.

In October 2011, RwandAir signed an 'option deal' for two Boeing 787s for delivery in either 2015 or 2016. This should hopefully be the beginning of an audacious expansion plan that will see the airline going head to head with two major regional players: Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.

Stay tuned for further updates.

► NAMIBIA: Air Namibia announces sweeping changes to its African network.

As part of its efforts to rationalize its capacity and quality of service, Namibian flag carrier Air Namibia (SW) has announced various route changes to its Africa route network effective 5 August 2012.

● 3 Truly amazing Aviation Videos shot in Africa.

No, not 3 dopey videos some nerd sent you on Facebook or 3 videos we mooched off of Discovery Channel's Air Crash Investigations but rather 3 truly mind blowing aviation videos we found on Youtube, all shot in Africa! (And excuse the crappy dance music in the first one - we would have preferred some Kenny G but hey, you can't have it all...)

• The Belly of the Beast - A cam was attached to the belly of a 747 on a ferry flight from Johannesburg to Maputo, Mozambique.

 

• Ilyushin IL76 (Nose Cam) Landing 4 de Fevereiro International Airport, Luanda, Angola - Ever wonder what the navigator in the nose of those enormous Ilyushin 76s sees on landing? 

• Stowaway Wheel-well View 747 flight from Lusaka, Zambia to Nairobi, Kenya - Pretty crazy video shot from the wheel well of an MK Airlines 747 Cargo flight.

 

Now how awesome was that huh?

► ZAMBIA: See the first pics of Zambezi Airlines' CRJ-200ERs.

Since recommencing operations in mid June 2012, Zambezi Airlines (ZJ) has leased its first of two Canadair CRJ-200ERs from South African Express. Registered as ZS-NMK, the aircraft was previously leased to MGC Airlines of South Africa.

► ZIMBABWE: Emirates to split Lusaka & Harare; introduces 5x weekly direct cargo flights to Harare.

Dubai megacarrier Emirates (EK) is to split its current Dubai - Lusaka (Zambia) - Harare (Zimbabwe) route into two separate routes "in the near future" following very strong figures in both passenger and cargo volumes moved since the route's inauguration in February of this year.

► ZAMBIA: Zambezi Airlines recommences flights as of 17 June.

As of Sunday 17 June 2012, Zambian carrier Zambezi Airlines (ZJ) is set to return to the skies after a 7 month hiatus from service, following various safety issues raised by Zambia's Civil Aviation Authority, that have since been settled.

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian further delays 787 service to Harare & Lusaka.

With Ethiopian Airlines (ET) having to wait longer and longer for the delivery of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner, so too has it had to postpone its subsequent use on its introductory routes.

Previously, Ethiopian announced delays in the 787s introduction on its Addis Ababa - Johannesburg and Addis Ababa – Dubai, and this has now been followed by an announcement of delays on the Addis Ababa – Harare and Addis Ababa – Lusaka routes.

Originally planned for entry into service on 16 September 2012, so Zimbabwe and Zambia will now have to wait until 28 October 2012 before catching a glimpse of the Dreamliner. Until then, the present status quo will be maintained i.e Addis Ababa - Harare - Lusaka - Addis Ababa will be operated with a Boeing 767-300.

Ethiopian Airlines: Addis Ababa - Harare - Lusaka - Addis Ababa
Until 27 October 2012

• ET873 ADD0920 – 1245HRE1335 – 1435LUN1525 – 2025ADD 763 D

From 28 October 2012
Addis Ababa – Harare

• ET873 ADD0920 – 1245HRE 738 246
• ET873 ADD0920 – 1245HRE 787 x246
• ET872 HRE1440 – 1955ADD 738 246
• ET872 HRE1440 – 1955ADD 787 x246

Addis Ababa – Lusaka

• ET883 ADD0910 – 1215LUN 787 246
• ET883 ADD0910 – 1215LUN 738 x246
• ET882 LUN1500 – 2005ADD 787 246
• ET882 LUN1500 – 2005ADD 738 x246

 Read More Here [Airline Route] 

► TANZANIA: Precision Air to restart Arusha from July; postpones Lubumbashi & Lusaka.

With renovations to the runway at Arusha's International Airport nearing completion, Tanzanian private carrier Precision Air (PW) has announced the resumption of daily flights to Arusha with effect from July 10. For the duration of the renovation works, passengers have had to use Kilimanjaro International Airport - 50 km away. 

► KENYA: Kenya Airways adjusts Ndola & Lubumbashi flights from September.

With effect from 17 September 2012, Kenya Airways (KQ) will reduce its current daily Nairobi - Lubumbashi (Congo, DR) - Ndola (Zambia) - Nairobi service to 6x weekly. 

However, the Saturday service to either city will change to a direct Nairobi - Lubumbashi - Nairobi (served by a Boeing 737-800) and Nairobi - Ndola - Nairobi (served with an Embraer 190) routing respectively, using a Boeing 737-700.

Kenya Airways Boeing 737-700 (chr!s85)

Nairobi - Lubumbashi - Ndola - Nairobi

• KQ586 NBO0855 – 1025FBM1115 – 1200NLA1250 – 1620NBO 73W x6 

Nairobi - Ndola - Nairobi (Saturday flight from 17 September 2012)

• KQ786 NBO1035 – 1210NLA E90 6
• KQ787 NLA1300 – 1630NBO E90 6

Nairobi - Lubumbashi - Nairobi (Saturday flight from 17 September 2012)

• KQ580 NBO0850 – 1020FBM 738 6
• KQ581 FBM1110 – 1435NBO 738 6

Read More Here [Airline Route]

► ZAMBIA: KLM returns to Lusaka (Pictures).

After a 16 year break, Dutch airline KLM (KL) has resumed direct flights from Amsterdam to Lusaka 3x weekly using an Airbus A330-200. Pictures courtesy The Lusaka Times.

KLM arrives in Lusaka (Lusaka Times)

"KLM will fly to Lusaka three times a week using an Airbus A330-200. The aircraft offers space for 243 passengers; 30 in World Business Class, 178 in Economy Class, and 35 in the Economy Comfort Zone.

Starting 15 May, flight KL521 will depart every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 12:30 from Schiphol and will arrive in Lusaka the same day at 22:05. The return flight, KL522, will depart from Lusaka the same day at 23:50. The flight will arrive in Amsterdam the next morning at 9:45."

Read More Here [KLM]

► ZAMBIA: Zambezi Airlines to resume flights next month.

Following numerous court cases and the repossession of its aircraft by lessor GECAS, Lusaka-based, Zambian airline Zambezi Airlines (ZJ), is scheduled to restart services from next month.

■ ZIMBABWE: Finances for Victoria Falls Airport upgrade unveiled - at last.

In preparation for the World Tourism Organisation Congress to be jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia  in Victoria Falls, the Zimbabwean Government has at last, availed part of the USD$150million needed to rehabilitate and upgrade Victoria Falls Airport. How much has been given, though, is still unknown.

► SOUTH AFRICA: SA Express to start Durban - Lusaka from July; Zimbabwe, DRC, Malawi to follow.

The Zambian Government has approved SA Express' (XZ) application to start Durban - Lusaka from July 2012, using a CRJ-200 Regional Jet on a 3x weekly frequency with the possibility of increasing to 6x weekly, given route viability.

"Company communications manager Lulu Bam, however said dates for the inaugural flight will be announced after all is set.She said the new route is an extremely important market for the airline in view of the vast economic growth adding that, “Lusaka is a fastest growing economy with potential for growth since it has a lot of demand and it is a preferable market for SA companies.” Ms Bam said Harare, Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi will be considered in the near future."

Read More Here[Daily Mail Zambia]

► ZAMBIA: Zambezi Airlines loses court battle against NAC.

Defunct Zambian airline, Zambezi Airlines, has lost a court battle with Zambia's National Airports Corporation, over premises located at 3 of Zambia's International airports: Kenneth Kaunda (Lusaka), Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula (Livingstone) and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe (Ndola) airports.

► ZAMBIA: Proflight Zambia attempts to cast off EU Blacklist stigma.

Proflight Zambia (P0), the domestic Zambian carrier with aspirations to start regional services to both Harare and Lubumbashi, has welcomed efforts by the Zambian government to help remove the airline from the European Union's Banned Operators List, a move that will help the airline shake off the stigma of being 'unsafe', a label that has damaged the airline's image amongst foreign tourists in particular.

► ZAMBIA: Proflight Zambia to start Harare & Lubumbashi from June 2012.

Proflight Zambia (P0), until recently, an exclusively domestic Zambian carrier, has announced plans to start Lusaka - Harare and Lusaka - Lubumbashi "sometime in June", in its first foray into the regional market that has since been left vacant by the demise of Air Zimbabwe and Zambezi Airlines, though the absolute confirmation is still dependent on completion of bureaucratic formalities.